Notes from Dave Doeren’s Weekly Press Conference Prior to UCONN

NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren met with the media today for his Weekly Press Conference prior to the Wolfpack’s season opener against UCONN next Thursday. Below are some of the notable things he had to say.

• Backfield is one of the strengths of the team when you look at the depth. Coach Anae likes to use multiple backs. He likes to give them roles and create things for those guys. You’ll get to see Kendrick Raphael.
• Have the most questions with the Wide Receivers. Not on ability, but on who will step up. Keyon Lesane had a great camp. Julian Gray has had a great camp and looking forward to see him take the next step. Gray and Terrell Timmons are neck and neck, playing really good football.
  • Feel like we have a really good rotation outside at Receiver. There will be a lot of guys getting time Inside. Kevin Concepcion, Porter Rooks and Jalen Coit. Those guys have made a lot of plays in camp.
• Nose Tackle Brandon Cleveland played some as a freshman, and he’s really improved.
• Linebacker’s Jaylon Scott, Devon Betty, and Caden Fordham have all had really good camps.
• Terrente Hinton has come on at Cornerback. Brandon Cisse will play as a True Freshman and will have an impact. Tony [Gibson] likes the rotation. Get guys in and give guys rest so they can play fast.
• Defensive End Davin Vann is playing at a really high level. He has grown a lot, not just as a player, but as a person. He has a huge attitude when he plays the game, and sometimes that’s hard for these guys to control. He’s really learned how to use the energy. Sometimes guys waste that. When Chubb was here, that was probably the biggest gain for him, learning how to use the fire that was within him, and not burn it on things that don’t matter. Davin has gained a ton of maturity that way. He has a ton of respect in our program, and is one of the hardest working people in our program. I’m expecting big things from him.
• Nickel Robert Kennedy is super consistent. You would have thought he had been here a long time. He understands and learns quickly. His mistakes he doesn’t repeat. He’s a gifted player to begin with, but he’s a really, really good learner. Plays consistently, and as a coach that’s what you want. He’s really fit in nicely, and added depth and experience at a position we needed.
• Told Wide Receiver Bradley Rozner yesterday I was super impressed with him. Not because he’s a tall guy who can run and catch. He comes in here a week before training camp, doesn’t know a player on our team, doesn’t know a coach on our staff, has never been to Raleigh. He’s just consistent every day. He catches the ball well. Still learning as he goes, but it’s impressive, what he has done in such a short period of time.
• Wide Receiver Dacari Collins is really talented. Trying to get him healthy. He’s had some small muscular things happen. Strain hear…a strain there. Had a really good window in the middle of camp, where we got to get a glimpse. When we get him where he can consistently practice, he can have an impact. We are still trying to get him there. We’ve seen a big change from a Springs the Fall. Excited about his growth
• We’ve had to train a lot of guys on how to snap. Sean Hill has done a great job picking that piece up for us with Dawson Jaramillo being out. Kamen Smith has played both Guard and Tackle. Matt McCabe has played both Guard and Tackle. Rico Jackson has been trained at both Guard and Tackle. Lyndon Cooper can play both Center and Guard.
• True Freshman Left Guard Kamen Smith is super athletic, big, strong and agile. He’s a really quick learner. Super impressed with him coming in during the Summer. He’s really physical. He plays with that demeanor that we love.
• I think Bishop Fitzgerald (Safety) and Terrente Hinton (Corner) are both going to be really good players here.
• Jalen Coit is a natural at Punt Returner. He’s really got great hands. He gets his body underneath it. Judges the ball well. Tracks it well. He’s quick and elusive. Great change of direction.